Category: LDRS591

The E-Book I chose is Strategies for Improving Homeless People’s Access to Mainstream Benefits and Services by Martha Burt, Jenneth Carpenter, Samuel Hall, Kathryn Henderson, Debra Rog, John Hornik, Ann Denton, and Garrett Moran. The E-book link is here: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS124562

1. Authority: The authors of this study come from different research entities:
   1. The Urban Institute is a U.S. think-tank comprising of “social scientists, economists, communicators, mathematicians, demographers, and data scientists” (Who We Are, 2017). Established in 1968, its founding president was a former Assistant Secretary for Wealth, Education, and Welfare – it claims to advance “the well-being of people” in the U.S. through research. Martha Burt and Samuel Hall are the Principal Research Associate, with appearances on C-SPAN dating back to 1988, and an accomplished lawyer – respectively
   2. The Advocates for Human Potential’s aim is to influence “change in health and business systems to support vulnerable populations” (Advocates for Human Potential, n.d.). Their history spans 30 years – 10 of which Jenneth Carpenter was involved, holding PhD and Masters degrees in Social Work. John Hornik holds a PhD in Engineering as Director of Research and Ann Denton holds a Masters in Education as a Director within this organization also.
   3. Westat was founded in 1963 by three statisticians and is behind many U.S. federal government statistics (About Us, n.d.).  Kathryn Henderson is Senior Study Director and both Debra Rog and Garrett Moran serve as Vice Presidents – every author holds a PhD.
2. Currency: This book was prepared in March 2010 for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Policy Development and Research.
3. Purpose: Although not blatently stated, one can infer its intended use is to aid national and macro-level policymakers in addressing the difficulty of accessing resources in vulnerable populations. A secondary audience includes the micro-level participants, such as municipalities, communities, hospitals, and non-profits; the research noted in this book provides seven examples of cities and their respective organizational structures that could be integrated and adapted by other communities.
4. Publication type/process: Because this book was written for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, they are naturally also the publishers. The benefit of having three different research entities collaborate is that peer-review is, excluding biases, inherent prior to publishing. According to Google Scholar, it has been cited by sixteen other research bodies related to homelessness and social services.
5. Biases: The authors do not reveal obvious biases in the research; the institutions they represent predominantly claim to be non-partisan. However, due to the nature of research funding, I speculate the examples chosen in the book may lean towards larger “success stories.” In order for these think-tanks to win future contracts, especially with a source of funding as big as the U.S. government, there is likely pressure to find data that can grab headlines and is immediately actionable – lest the government bring their funding to someone else who can help garner more attention.

References:

Who We Are. (2017, November 01). Retrieved January 11, 2018, from https://www.urban.org/aboutus/who-we-are

I chose Donata Christiane Nilsen’s (2012) article, “Building & Enhancing Interorganizational Relationship for Disaster Preparedness and Response Capacity: a Study of Community-based Organizations Serving Vulnerable Populations; a Focus on the Homeless.” The article can be found here: https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5tp4f30n

The following is my assessment of Nilsen’s (2012) article:

1. Authority – At the time of its writing, the author, Donata Christiane Nilsen, was a Doctor of Public Health candidate in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley. This study was completed as a dissertation in requirements for her degree and was overseen by a committee of professors from the university. Although her university provides Nilsen a level of authority, a quick Google search reveals little of her credentials, past writing experience, and expertise.
2. Currency – The article was published in 2012, which meets the rule of utilizing current sources that date back no longer than 10 years.
3. Purpose – As stated, the article was written for the completion of Nilsen’s Doctor of Public Health degree. The dissertation’s audience was Nilson’s educators in the university, but Nilsen (2012) also states the purpose of her study was to explore “the relationship between the number and types of interorganizational relationships that [community-based organizations (“CBOs”)] use to serve clients” (p.1). This suggests its intention for a public audience amongst the non-profit sector, and reinforces the research she conducted through surveys and interviews for findings. The tone and language of the article suggests the author’s impartiality as it speaks of its findings and research methods rather than anecdotal stories.
4. Content: This research article communicates a research question, research method, results, and answers the research question. It is backed by 6.5 pages of references, and appendixes that exemplify the research questions and resources used. This suggests a well-structured and research-based study.
5. Publication Type/Process: Though Berkeley University is a reputable university, the article was published by a university press and not a large publisher. Despite that, the source is peer-reviewed.
6. Bias and Special Interests: There are no obvious biases, but as Nilsen is seeking a Doctoral in Public Health, there may be biases towards the selection of organizations selected to participate in the study and the concluding benefits of interorganizationial relationships with CBOs.

References

Nilsen, D. C. (2012). Building & Enhancing Interorganizational Relationships for Disaster Preparedness and Response Capacity: a Study of Community-based Organizations Serving Vulnerable Populations: a Focus on the Homeless.

Patton (2001) discusses the difference between the popular use of anecdotal learning lessons from  “research and theory” (p.332) based lessons. Patton (2001) states that evidence-based lessons and leadership is best practice as they “reduce uncertanity, offer illumination, elighten funders and staff […], enhance communications, and facilitate sharing of perceptions” (p.332). This is contrasted with popular ideas that lose “its substance and meaning” (p. 333) due to essons not derived from research but anecdotal experiences. The quality of the practice or lesson can be measured by “one’s confidence in the transferability […] of a supposed lesson learned” (p.334).

Trybus (2007) discusses the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act’s mandate of requiring educators in the U.S. to only teach curriculum backed by Scientifically Based Research (SBR). This is fueled by constant pressures to improve programs. Acceptable evidence to these leaders, or educators, follow the mold of traditional scientific disciplines – empiricism, data analyses, and peer scientific review (p.5). The components of acceptable research studies are outlined clearly by the NCLB(p.6), and pre-judged bodies of scientific knowledge were created for educators. In the past, “professional wisdom” was the dominant compass for making teaching decisions (p.8). By integrating said wisdom with SBR evidence, it is the hope of educators that more nuanced solutions will come about and encourage teachers to feel they are “part of the process” while strengthening the education field as a whole (p.8).

Walshe and Rundall (2001) discuss the rise of evidence-based solutions that close an important gap between research and clinical practice (p.430). They present various examples of what happens when evidence-based doesn’t make it to clinical practice, leading to certain interventions being overused , underused, and misuse (p.431). Agencies in various countries established databases and “evidence-based practice centers to produce and disseminate evidence reports and technology assessments” (p.434). Along with these agencies, the Center for Health Management Research (CHMR) was established to bridge the differing ideas of how to apply the research in practice (p.440-446). It accomplishes this by building an evidence-based culture by drawing upon a common body of research and designing research questions that help health care organizations make decisions (p.446-449).

As the authors discussed, good leadership depends on sound research, or evidence. Dictionary.com defines evidence as “that which tends to prove or disprove something.” The information an organization chooses to use must be proven. Beyond the importance of best practices, practicing well in the health sector, and educating students with facts, evidence-based decision-making is crucial because truth is important to society. If individuals or organizations made decisions based on personal understandings or experience, there would be no true understanding of what is good and what is real. There is a moral obligation for organizations and people to research and disseminate truth.

Where have you witnessed the negative outcome of misinformation, and what were the results?

Reference

Patton, M. Q. (2001). Evaluation, Knowledge Management, Best Practices, and High Quality Lessons Learned. American Journal Of Evaluation, 22(3), 329.

Trybus, M. (2007). Understanding Scientifically Based Research: A Mandate or Decision Making Tool?. Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 73(4), 5-8.

Kieran Walshe, a., & Thomas G. Rundall, a. (2001). Evidence-Based Management: From Theory to Practice in Health Care. The Milbank Quarterly, (3), 429.

My decision-making process as a leader begins with the consideration of its significance and potential effects on myself, my team, and organization. If the decision requires a quick response with little potential of harm (i.e. the potential negative effect is easily correctable and effects few individuals), I rely on previous experience and values to decide on the course of action. At work, I make regular scheduling decisions where I fill in shift gaps that occur in the absence of our regular staff. My priority is to fill in the mandatory positions, and this may require certain shifts left unfilled due to a shortage of on-call staff – flu season is a scary season! While my team may be left understaffed, I know with warning they are capable of serving our clients well. My staffing decisions effect the team, but my team is able to combat the negative effects. Conversely, I take time to consult other’s opinions and find information on available options when I face decisions with a greater harm potential. Hiring poorly certainly holds the potential of harming the team and company. When conducting the interview process, the interviewee speaks to multiple individuals on the leadership team and myself as we seek to find the right candidate that best fits the needs and culture of our team. Beyond considering my values and previous experience, larger decisions such as hiring require greater critical thinking that seeks to understand the implications of each considered option.

As mentioned, my values influence my decisions daily. My understanding of what is right and true is shaped by my culture, education, and religion. This aligns with the proposition the authors of “What is Inquiry” discuss: one’s worldview influences “the types of questions that you ask as well as the processes that you use to find the answers to your questions” (“What is Inquiry”). As an individual of Chinese descent born and raised in Canada, there are clear differences between the decision-making processes I find between Chinese and Western cultures. Personally, the collectivistic nature of Chinese culture poses questions and decisions based on the outcomes effect on the group of individuals influenced by the decision, while the individualistic nature of Western culture poses questions and decisions more central to its effect on the decision maker. This example of collectivistic and individualistic influence is also found in my work place. My team is composed of individuals from numerous cultures and personal experiences that shaped their worldview. Some come from a history of physical abuse or addictions, while others come from loving families. Despite these differences, my workplace is a Christian workplace, and this similarity shapes our shared values and understanding of good to guide our shared vision of showing grace and helping our struggling clients.

Have you experienced oppositions between team members due to their collectivistic and individualistic perspectives? If so, how was it resolved?

Reference

InterfacetTraining (2010). Cultural dimension: me or we. Youtube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW7aWKXB5J4

What is inquiry. (n.d.). Leadership 591: Scholarly Inquiry. Retrieved from https://create.twu.ca/ldrs591-sp18/unit-1-notes/

Questions from: https://create.twu.ca/ldrs591-sp18/unit-1-learning-activities/

My post-secondary education in English literature presented assignments that asked me to “research” certain topics. My understanding of research was investigating what scholars discussed. In contrast to this definition, Plano-Clark and Creswell (2015) define research as “a process of steps used to collect and analyze information in order to increase our knowledge about a topic or issue” (p.4). This definition of research poses the systematic process of research where a question is posed, data is collected, and data is analyzed to formulate an answer (Plano-Clark & Creswell, 2015, p.4). The “research” I was asked to perform during my degree did not consist of these steps, and is instead defined as literature review, theoretical discussion, and opinion papers (p.5). Beyond my high school science classes, my experience with research is limited due to the nature of my degree. In recent years, the only memorable research that fits Plano-Clark & Creswell’s (2015) definition is in the research studies I studied in psychology. Do you see research playing a role in the liberal arts?

Currently, my role as an administrative assistant in a non-profit organization that serves a community struggling with poverty, homelessness, and addictions in Vancouver does not require extensive research. While I do read research such BC’s Homeless Count Report to better understand the continual rise of homelessness in Vancouver, I must admit, I do not intentionally seek other research about the homeless or addictions situation. My personal education of these issues come through News reports, but these come with biases and cannot be defined as research; once again, I am learning from opinion papers and not research. While my role does not require research, I recognize my need of understanding the situation my organization is trying to address through data. Would you have a suggestion of where I can begin reading more research on homelessness and addictions issues?

As the administrative assistant, I work closely with the supervisors of our team. I am often a logistical resource for our team, and they come to me with a range of questions and problems. On one occasion when our supervisors were absent, a pregnant team member entered my office with tears after finding blood in her urine. Her doctor told her to go to the hospital, but she was unable to contact her husband to drive her. Understanding the need to make a decision in the absence of our supervisors, I quickly assessed our current staffing needs, transportation options, policies, and our team value of grace. I booked a company vehicle, asked a teammate to drive, implemented a scheduling plan to fill in the staffing gaps, and contacted our manager about the decision. I made a decision based on the organizational values, past experience, and policies.

References

BC Non-Profit Housing Association & M. Thomson Consulting. (2017). 2017 Homeless Count in Metro Vancouver [Data File]. Retrieved from http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/homelessness/HomelessnessPublications/2017MetroVancouverHomelessCount.pdf

Britten, L. (2017, Sep. 26). Homeless count finds housing affordability crisis numbers up. CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-homeless-count-2017-1.4308345

Plano-Clark, V., Cresweel, J. (2015). Understanding research: A consumer’s guide (2nd ed). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Questions from: https://create.twu.ca/ldrs591-sp18/unit-1-learning-activities/